Annual wreath laying to be held at Beaufort National Cemetery
BY ANDREA HOERNER Contributor
December 13th is National Wreaths Across America Day at Arlington National Cemetery and 5,200 other locations, a day when more than three million veterans will be honored. Almost a million volunteers take the time to “Remember the fallen, honor those who serve, and teach our children the value of freedom,” by placing wreaths on veterans’ graves.
For centuries the wreath has been a symbol of victory, honor and eternity. These wreaths are fresh evergreen. The red bow symbolizes sacrifice; the greens symbolize endurance and the circular
shape - eternity. There is no religious significance.
At Beaufort National Cemetery on the morning of the ceremony, trailer trucks arrive, loaded with thousands of wreaths and accompanied by scores of motorcycles. Following a solemn ceremony, wreaths are distributed, each wreath is reverently placed against a tombstone, and the individual’s name is said aloud. For the last four years, every grave has received a wreath, thanks to individuals and participating organizations. The number of volunteers who make this event a success is amazing. Represented are civic organizations, church groups, scouts, military and families. David Edwards, who has been the Local Volunteer Coordinator for nineteen years, has seen tremendous growth in participation.
David says, “I do this to honor our veterans at Beaufort National Cemetery who
gave us a great way of life in this country.”
President Abraham Lincoln created Beaufort National Cemetery in 1863. It began as a burial site for patients from local Union hospitals during the Civil War. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, buried there are veterans of the Civil War, the Spanish American War, and more recent conflicts, making this a truly hallowed place. This historic site on Boundary Street in Beaufort is the final resting place for over 28,000 veterans and their families.
Since 2017, Sun City residents have been involved in raising funds and participating in the wreath laying. Starting with 1,600 wreaths, last year 56 neighborhoods donated over $86,000.
The Sun City Veterans Association (SCVA) Color Guard proudly participates in the ceremony. “I went to visit my father’s grave at Christmas time in the
Sarasota National Cemetery. It had been decorated with a beautiful wreath, along with all the graves in the cemetery. A stunning sight. I’ve been committed to Wreaths Across America ever since,” said Bill Field, SCVA Color Commander.
Sun City resident Larry Hyatt, a veteran himself, is honored to play Taps at the ceremony. The Nurses Honor Guard, a retired nurses association, also participates. Susan Lazarcheck, a member of the group, said, “For me, participating in Wreaths Across America is a way to honor the men and women who fought for my freedoms. I am privileged to live in America and enjoy a life of freedom because of the sacrifices made by those who fought for my rights.”
The donation for a wreath is $17. For more information or to donate, contact Andy Hoerner, andyhoerner@gmail.com. For more information about the program, visit wreathsacrossamerica.org.
ANDREA HOERNER
A fresh coat of first impressions: The power of painting your front door
BY GARY SMYTHE Contributor
SMYTHE
They say you never get a second chance to make a first impression— and in real estate, that couldn’t be truer. One of the simplest, most affordable ways to enhance your home’s curb appeal is by painting your front door.
Your front door is more than just an entry point—it’s the focal point of your home’s exterior. It’s the first thing visitors, neighbors, and potential buyers notice. A freshly painted door can instantly set the tone, signaling that your home is well cared for and inviting.
A well-chosen color also ties together your home’s overall design. Whether you opt for a bold navy, a classic red, or a modern black, the right shade can complement your siding, trim, and landscaping—creating a cohesive, eye-catching look.
In today’s market, where there are significantly more homes competing for buyers’ attention, small details can make a big difference. Something as simple as a great color scheme—and an eye-catching front door—can be enough for buyers scrolling through listings to pause and take a closer look at what’s inside.
For homeowners thinking about selling, a front door refresh is one of the best returns on investment. It’s quick, inexpensive, and can make your home stand out in listing photos and during showings. Even buyers who may not consciously focus on the door often feel its impact— it’s the first “welcome” they receive.
So, if your entryway is looking a little tired or faded, grab a brush and give your
front door some attention. That simple update could be the difference between a passerby—and a potential buyer who stops to take a closer look.
Gary Smythe is a local Real Estate Agent with William Raveis Real Estate specializing in Bluffton and Hilton Head Island.Gary@ GarySmythe.com www.WilliamRaveis. com/GarySmythe
GARY
BY CHRIS ROOSA Contributor
Having been a homemaker for sixty years, I am sufficiently capable of handling most things around the house. I began driving at sixteen and I’ve had no tickets, no accidents. Nor have I burned the house down.
I have not had the opportunity, nor luxury, to retire as of yet. I guess that will come when they either throw dirt in my face or put my ashes in an urn. My husband, however, retired nearly thirty years ago.
While most of us older gals are still maintaining a household and preparing meals, our retired man spends his days enjoying his newly found freedom from the daily grind of a demanding career.
Male retirement may include golfing, biking, sports cars, tennis, pickle ball, wood shop, photography or the gym, just to mention a few. And while the retiree is involved in these fun activities, the little women is home doing her normal household chores along with shopping for and preparing yet another delicious meal. I bet, when she stood at that alter, sixty years ago, she never realized that she would be committing to the preparation of 22,265 meals in the years to come. That does not include breakfast or lunch. But then, who’s counting!
As my husband has gotten older, and no longer drives, he has become my little helper in the car.
“You need to put on your turn signal.”
“You should probably speed up.”
“Are you going to slow down?” as he grabs the dashboard, while I’m doing 25 mph.
“You need to close up the gap between you and the car in front of you. Someone might sneak in.”
“You need to merge into the right lane
My little helper
because you’re going to turn in three miles.”
That voice asks me if I saw that the light turn green or red? And the question I really love is, “Do you know how to get home from here?” This is followed by the little voice telling me to turn left into Sun City, then left onto our street. Now, mind you, we’ve lived in the same house for twenty years. I’m sure I am knowledgeable enough to find our domain without instructions. And if I needed those directions, I shouldn’t be driving, right?
That little helper has also worked its way into my kitchen. As it hovers over me it asks,
“Why are you cutting the onion like that? You need to cut it like this.”
“Don’t you think you need a bigger bowl?”
“Have you stirred that? You don’t want to burn that?“
I’m told to bake cookies for ten minutes even though the directions say thirteen. And before I know it, I find the “man of the house” changing out the interior of my cabinets by moving things to different cupboard or shelves. I finally told him I’m invading the garage to reorganize his tools to my liking. That promptly stopped the invasion in my kitchen.
Some days I question how I ran a house, while raising three kids, without that little helper squawking in my ear. I actually figured out how to change a diaper, set up a kitchen, cook, clean, wash, iron, pay bills, do the gardening, grocery shop, sometimes even work part time…without my little helper!
Today I decided to just have a relaxing day. I even polished up my urn. I’m getting ready for my retirement!
Chris Roosa is a resident of Sun City Hilton Head.
TheSunCityHiltonHead
Lastmonth,thetotalnumberoflistingsstayedjustunderthe 200mark,thesamethresholdthatwassurpassedbackin September.Themediansalepricedippedonly2%,whichis actuallya1%improvementoverthepreviousmonth.Additionally,55homeswentundercontractinOctober—upfrom 47inSeptember. For buyers, this market presents an excellent opportunity, with more inventory to choose from and increased negotiating power. For sellers, it’s still a great time to capitalize on the significant equity gains built during the pandemic years. Navigating today’s shifting landscape takes insight and preparation, and that’s where having a seasoned real estate professional makes all the difference. If you’re considering selling your home, I invite you to take advantage of a FREEcomprehensivemarketanalysisandin-depthmarketreview. Together, we’ll develop a strategy to ensure your home stands out and achieves the best possible value in this evolving Contactmetoday!
ActiveHomesandVillas
ActiveHomesandVillas
Framing the holidays: PHOTOGRAPHER TOM MILLS ON
BY JOE TURINO Contributor
The Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s holidays are swiftly approaching, bringing family gatherings, festive lights, and endless photo opportunities. Whether you reach for your phone camera or your favorite mirrorless or DSLR, capturing those moments is part of the joy. As tables fill and trees sparkle, Photography Club of Sun City Hilton Head (PCSCHH) member Tom Mills believes great photography isn’t only about the equipment, it’s about how you see.
In a recent interview, when asked about the growing role of cell phone photography, Mills smiled. “Cell phones are the future,” he said. “Cell phones are so well engineered… you can’t take a bad picture.”
Still, he prefers his traditional camera. “I happen to like it a lot,” he adds with a grin. “It’s technically fun.” For him, the difference isn’t about pixels or lenses—it’s about control, composition, and the satisfaction of shaping an image from start to finish.
A PCSCHH member for 13 years, Mills has taught many classes plus led both the Composition and Black & White Special Interest Groups (SIGs) for the past five years. His approach blends technical understanding with an artist’s eye—skills honed from a lifetime behind the camera. He and his wife Kay moved to Sun City in 2012 after years in Augusta, Georgia, where his passion for photography deepened. His father was a photojournalist, so cameras surrounded him most of his life.
Mills believes it’s important to see beyond buttons and screens to the design within the frame. As leader of the Composition SIG, he encouraged members to focus on the story behind each image—where to stand, what to include, and what to leave out. “Photography is an art,” he explains. “Pictures should tell a story.”
That belief—seeing each photo as part of a larger narrative—is central to his philosophy. “Pretend you were going to make a holiday photo book and plan the photos you would like to include to tell the story of the event,” he says. “The holiday dinner table, arrival of people, people interacting around the tree, the messy room after gifts, tired people lounging—the idea is to tell the story of the whole event.”
As the conversation turns to technology, Mills admits that modern tools have made storytelling easier. “Taking pictures with your cell phone camera is really pretty easy,” he says. “The phone camera is always with you, ready to shoot at a moment’s notice, and, best of all, modern phone cameras take amazingly good, high-quality photos.”
He notes that today’s phones “handle most lighting situa-
THE ART OF SEEING
tions well” and automatically adjust exposure and focus, freeing the photographer to concentrate on what really matters—the image itself. “During the Holiday Season, your phone camera is perfect for capturing the colors and sparkle of holiday trees, family fun around the table, and gift openings,” he says. “You can photograph decorations, food fresh from the oven, pets in holiday outfits, or even get artsy with close-ups of ornaments and candles.”
But even the best technology can’t replace composition. Mills emphasizes that the same principles apply whether you’re shooting with a phone, a camera, or professional gear.
He offers three things to remember. First, get closer. “Move in so the subject is more prominent. Zoom in with the camera settings or actually move the camera closer— zoom with your feet.”
Second, minimize distractions. “Before pushing the shutter button, count the corners—one, two, three, four—to notice things that could distract attention from the subject. Change your point of view to exclude distractions.”
Third, avoid flash. “Flash usually is too bright and makes the picture look flat by removing shadows that give shape and contours. Cell phone cameras are very good in low
light, so natural light images are almost always better.”
Mills also stresses the power of perspective. “Generally, keep the camera at the eye level of the subject because we see the world at that level and things look right,” he says. “This applies especially to small children and pets—standing over them and shooting down makes them look small. Get down to their eye level for a much more intimate image.”
He often references Henri Cartier-Bresson, the French photographer known as the father of modern photojournalism, who built his legacy on “the decisive moment”—the instant when everything in a frame aligns perfectly.
Mills compares that approach to the careful planning behind National Geographic photographs. “Those images aren’t lucky shots,” he says. “They’re the result of planning, timing, and seeing the picture before you ever press the shutter.”
As the season’s celebrations unfold, Mills offers one timeless reminder: don’t just take pictures—compose them. And remember, if you have your phone, you already have a camera—and a chance to capture the perfect photo.
For more information or to join the Photography Club of Sun City Hilton Head, visit www.pcschh.org.
BY RICH BERNSTEIN Contributor
Golf is still great, but I miss:
The clickety clack of metal golf spikes as you walked on the cart path.
The feel of a perfectly struck persimmon driver.
The TV announcing of Henry Longhurst, Peter Alliss and Ken Venturi.
Walking off yardage distances instead of using a rangefinder.
Watching players who may look like us (Billy Casper, Craig Stadler, Laura Davies and Lumpy Herron) beat all the flat-bellied pros.
Golf fans that were respectful to all players and obeyed “Quiet Please” signs. Watching “Shell’s Wonderful World of Golf” telecasts.
The silence of the golf course, broken
only by chirping birds instead of Wi-Fi speakers.
Standing in the middle of a gallery at a professional tournament and using a peri-
stead of trying to copy the touring pros.
Playing a balata golf ball with a big smile in its cover.
The wonderful sound of your irons clanging against each other as you carried your bag down the fairway.
Watching grainy TV telecasts from The Open Championship.
Buying Spalding Kro-Flite golf balls with S & H Green Stamps.
Playing winter golf with institutional-size peach can cups on the greens.
Watching Jack, Arnie, Gary and Lee playing in their prime.
If you’re too young to remember these things, I’m sorry because you really missed out on experiencing some wonderful memories.
scope-style viewer to watch the action.
Golf courses that smelled like natural grass instead of chemicals.
Playing with your natural swing, in-
Rich Bernstein is a resident of Sun CityHilton Head. Rich has been experiencing the joy, challenges and frustrations of golf since his selection as the 6th player on his 5-player high school golf team.
RICH BERNSTEIN
